2016 death ruled a homicide after 2006 child abuse

2016 death ruled a homicide after 2006 child abuse

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — A Bowie ten-year-old’s 2016 death is said to be related to head trauma she sustained as a baby in a case of child abuse, and her death is now being considered a homicide.

Elanis Milfort was six months old when she was treated for a head injury that led to detectives arresting her father, Lionel Milfort, and charging him with child abuse. He was convicted, and got out of prison in June 2014.

In March 2016, Elanis had surgery to treat a spinal condition that resulted from the head trauma. She suffered complications and died three days later.

At the end of June this year, the DC’s Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. The follow-up investigation will be handled by Prince George’s County Police’s Homicide Cold Case unit, and the State’s Attorney will decide if any additional charges should be filed.

This unique case has precedent — the 2015 death of James Brady, Press Secretary to President Reagan, was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, due to a bullet wound he sustained in 1981 during an attempted presidential assassination.